Mike Crupi/THE POST Lisa Miree leads a practice of the Ladies of Soul Dancing In Sync Company, which she formed Winter Quarter. LOS DISCO will have its first performance in Old Nelson Commons at 7 p.m. May 1 as part of the Alpha Phi Alpha Moms' Weekend Talent Extravaganza.

While most Ohio University students are still in their beds at 6 a.m., graduate student Lisa Miree is getting ready to begin another busy day.

As she supervises the daily exercise routine and creates dances for the new dance group LOS DISCO, Ladies of Soul In Sync Dancing Company, Miree displays her superb leadership skills.

Miree founded the group because she felt there were many OU females with dance skills but no place to share them.

"There are many ladies who have talents but for various reasons have not been able to continue dancing or cheerleading while in college," Miree said. "LOS DISCO provides an opportunity for them to do so, and they are really doing a great job."

Besides her recent success in the dance field, Miree has been participating in OU activities since she arrived in 1994.

On June 11 she will be the third sibling from her family to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree from OU, and Miree came to OU on a mission.

"I came to OU to learn how to replace Dan Rather on the evening news," she said. "However, I did not envision myself participating in all of these activities. But I do things that I enjoy, and it has made my time here memorable and valuable."

Miree said she gets her strength from her will to succeed and her strong faith in God.

"I prioritize. I just acknowledge what has to be done, and then I do it," she said.

"In addition, I know my strength comes from my faith in God and Jesus Christ. I allow them to be the captain of my ship," Miree said.

The 22-year-old student said along with graduating from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism in three years, her biggest accomplishment is implementing programs other OU students can benefit from for years to come.

"I am happy to see my ideas implemented and know that they will continue long after I am gone," she said. "My pioneering of the Black Pages (Black Student Communication Caucus' resource guide) and LOS DISCO are the things I am very proud of."

Miree said she thinks her participation in ballet at a young age set the foundation for the activities in which she is presently involved.

"Before I knew it, I was taking modern dance and ballet and doing solos and duets at recitals," she said.

She said she thinks all OU students should share their talents through participation in the numerous activities on campus.

Miree's parents said they knew since Lisa was a child that she would be a successful and active person.

"It was a joy to watch Lisa grow up and succeed in life," said Cawthorn Miree, Lisa's father. "She has a natural mobility along with the will and determination to succeed, and with those ingredients she will go forth."

LOS DISCO's first performance will be at the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity Moms' Weekend Talent Extravaganza May 1 at 7 p.m. in Old Nelson Commons.